Visit Alaska This Winter For A Truly Unique Experience!

The magic of Alaska lies in the changing of the seasons. If you’ve only visited the Last Frontier during the summer months, consider reserving one of the many Alaska winter vacation packages offered by the state’s seasoned tour operators! The difference between a summer and winter trip is extreme – not only does the landscape look different, but the seasonal activities are distinct as well.

Alaska’s winter season offers a wide variety of activities and spectacular sights for its visitors. Snow covers the rugged landscape and the night sky is filled with the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights in shades of green, pink, and purple. Many Alaska winter tours will offer travelers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon, while also planning a variety of fun, unique daytime activities. Here are five of our favorite wintertime activities to participate in during the snowy season in Alaska

Winter Activity #1 – Northern Lights Viewing

Finding the best Aurora Borealis tours in Alaska is almost too easy – there are so many tour companies that offer specialized packages around this natural phenomenon. All of the guides you encounter will be happy to share the secret to spotting the Auroras, too! The more time you spend in Alaska, the greater the chances will be of seeing the Northern Lights! Increase your odds by booking a multi-day overnight Northern Lights viewing package that includes fun, daytime activities. Your guide will whisk you away from the city light to see the lights in the nighttime sky. Getting there is half the fun, too! Many Alaska winter tours offer guests the opportunity to reach their viewing location by snow machine or dog sled, while others carry you away to a remote site by helicopter.

Gondwana Ecotours offers one of the best Aurora Borealis tours in Alaska. This week-long tour will give you a dose of local culture by day and the opportunity to search the night sky for the Northern Lights. The company’s Aurora guides will wake you up once the Northern Lights appear and help you take the perfect photo for a souvenir. Gondwana Alaska winter tours also include:

• A meal with local homesteaders, who will talk about what life is really like in the Alaskan Interior.
• Admission to Running Reindeer Rach, where you can take a walk with the resident Rudolph.
• A curling lesson with local players
• A relaxing soak in the mineral springs at Chena Hot Springs and Resort.
• An exhilarating sled ride over the snow with a professional dog-mushing team.

Winter Activity #2 – Winter Festivals

Alaskans are proud of their state and like to celebrate the unique experiences that make the state so special. You can find a festival (or festivals) almost every weekend during the summer months, and a good sampling during the winter season, too. Getting together helps residents get through the long winter days, but it is also a great way for visitors to experience Alaskan culture and traditions. Many tour companies will plan Alaska winter vacation packages to coincide with local festivals so that travelers can experience all the region has to offer. Don’t miss these festivals:

• The Sitka WhaleFest – this festival takes place in Sitka in early November.
• The Alaska Bald Eagles Festival – this festival takes place in Haines in November.
• The Fur Rondy (featuring more than 20 cultural and sport activities) – this city-wide celebration takes place in Anchorage in late February.
• The World Ice Art Championships – see amazing art sculptures as they are carved! This festival takes place in Fairbanks in early March.
• The Iditarod Sled Dog Race – the world-famous race kicks off in Nome in March.

Winter Activity #3 – Glacier Climbing

The best Aurora Borealis tours in Alaska will include an itinerary of distinctive activities for travelers to take part in during the daytime. And what could be more unique than a glacier climbing tour? If your guide offers this option, sign up for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You’ll be equipped with everything you need to remain safe, including a rope, harness, helmet, boots, crampons, and tools to assure your successful ascent up a glacier. Don’t miss out on this experience – there’s nothing like climbing the sheer, icy face of a glacier and looking out over Alaska’s blue water once you make it to the top!

Winter Activity #4 – Train Travel

If you’ve made it this far, we know you have a sense of adventure and a warm winter jacket! Keep enjoying the winter wonderland that is Alaska and explore even more of the pristine landscape by train. The Alaska Railroad operates year-round, connecting Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks throughout the winter season. The Aurora Winter Train is also an option for those who are interested in off-the-beaten-path Alaska Winter tours. This train travels northbound from Anchorage to Fairbanks on Saturdays and makes the return journey on Sundays. Look for Alaska winter vacation packages that include multi-day rail travel with lodging and meals along the way for a truly unique way to see the Alaskan countryside.

Winter Activity #5 – Dog Mushing

Winter is the peak season for dog sledding in Alaska. Most tour operators will allow you to play with the dogs and meet the mushers before you speed off across the winter landscape in a sled. One of the most popular dog sledding experiences is a week-long overnight adventure in Denali National Park. This Alaska winter tour takes you into the park’s backcountry on a dog sled. Spend the day exploring the park behind your four-legged, furry team and your nights in front of the fire in one of the park’s many rustic cabins.

Unique Alaska Winter Tours For All

Whether you book one of the best Aurora Borealis tours in Alaska or opt for one of the many other Alaska winter vacation packages that are available to travelers, you can be sure that you will experience the absolute best that Alaska has to offer! Winter is a special season in Alaska, and it’s worth your time to experience the magic that the snowy landscape has to offer.